Driver side chattering sound, Struts?

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abarone300

New Member
Hi all, I was hoping you could help me with an annoying problem with my '95 vtec. It steers and run ok, except when ever driving over a slightly uneven surface, the front left suspension will emit what it seems like a chattering sound, I think I can even feel it too!
Any help will be appreciate it. Thanks
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might wanna check your bushings and ball joints...those are the #1 causes of suspension "chatter"
 
I've already replaced one ball joint

might wanna check your bushings and ball joints...those are the #1 causes of suspension "chatter"

Hi reikoshea, I've already replaced the only suspect ball joint, the "Tie Rod End" (because the ball joint was leaking), I even bought a lower ball joint, but I didn't ghange it, because it looks ok!

Is there a way to test a ball joint, aside from feeling backlash?

Thanks
 
unfortunately, suspension isnt my strong point. when people mention symptoms similar to things that ive experienced, thats the only time i chime in on suspension.
 
From my experience when my hatch had that problem we had to change the inner tie rods, ball joints, and then the rack and pinion. That was just my experience so I would say look at all your suspension parts or put it on a lift an check everything to see whats going on. Thats just my experience so don't think thats what I'm saying it is just giving you my personnel experience
 
to check the ball joint you have to disconnect it from its point on the chassis. use either a pickle fork or a hammer. if you have any play in the joint or the boot is ripped then consider it time to change the ball joint.
 
to check the ball joint you have to disconnect it from its point on the chassis. use either a pickle fork or a hammer. if you have any play in the joint or the boot is ripped then consider it time to change the ball joint.

Non of the ball joint boots are ripped or leaking, the only one that was (the one on the tie rod end), I changed!
I'd love to change the lower ball joint, but I'd hate to go through all that trouble (it looks like a lot of work...) if the joint is good.


Also wanted to ask you guys about your experience with parts quality. The new Tie Rod I ordered online seemed too flimsy as compared to the original one, it wasn't as massive, and looked smaller! After installation I noticed that the ball joint crown nut went in too far, with much ease. In fact when I installed the cutter pin, it was not inside the nut's crown (to keep it from backing out), but outside instead!
 
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it takes about 5 minutes to pop a ball joint out from the arm once you have the tire off.

If you're talking about the Tie Rod End ball joint, you are right! The whole job took me 15 minutes, but replacing the A frame lower ball joint looks to me like a lot work!
 
a-frame ball joint is soo much easier on the prelude....sucky for yall.
 
there is no "lower" a arm on the lude, thats what makes it so easy. The two ball joints are the upper arm and the lower joint on the tie rod.

As i keep saying, the best suspension guys use the phrase "its not finesse, its he who has the biggest hammer". I just took off the nut and beat the top of the tie rod with a hammer.

then i replaced the tie rod. thats it.
 
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